Former Nakuru County speaker Joel Kairu has backed calls for Hassan Omar to resign as the secretary general of the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), following his controversial remarks that have sparked debate about ethnic profiling.

Speaking in a morning interview with Kameme TV station on Monday, May 25, 2026, Kairu said that the apology issued by the UDA secretary general on Sunday, May 25, 2026, was not genuine, and therefore, he should take action and resign

“We want Hassan Omar to resign as Secretary General of the UDA party; we don’t want his apology,” Kairu said.

Kahiga calls for Omar’s resignation

The former head of the Nakuru County Assembly has backed calls from other leaders from the Mount Kenya region, including Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who has also sharply criticised the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar, accusing him of promoting divisive politics and targeting communities for political gain.

In a statement shared on his official social media page on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Kahiga directly challenged Omar to resign from his party position, drawing parallels with his own past resignation from the Council of Governors’ leadership.

The governor directly challenged Omar to follow the same course of action.

“I now challenge you to do the same! Resign from your appointed position of UDA secretary general,” Kahiga said.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan has clarified his recent remarks, which drew debate, saying that he was misinterpreted and taken out of context.

Omar defends his statement

In a statement by the Office of the UDA Secretary General on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Omar explained that his comments were not intended to demean, offend, or target any community.

“Following the remarks I made recently, which appear to have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, I wish to clarify as follows: My comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” the statement read in part.

The legislator went on to reaffirm his commitment to the dignity, rights, and unity of all Kenyans and that the remarks in question were made within the context of his long-standing advocacy on historical land injustices affecting the coastal region.

While expressing his regret, Omar stated that his utterances were never intended to promote division, hostility, or animosity among communities.

“Throughout my public life, I have remained firmly committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and unity of all Kenyans. The remarks in question were made within the context of my long-standing advocacy on historical land injustices affecting the Coastal region, and were never intended to promote division, hostility, or animosity among communities,” Omar explained.

In addition, Omar noted that while his intention was not to promote division or hostility, he understands that some individuals, particularly from the Central Kenya region, may have felt offended.

Further extending his apology to all those who were affected, what he described was a ‘misunderstanding’.

“Nevertheless, I fully appreciate that some of our brothers and sisters, particularly from the Central Kenya region, may have felt aggrieved by the remarks. To all those who may have been offended, I sincerely regret the misunderstanding and extend my apology,” he added.